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  • Okinawa electric scooter dealer network to grow beyond 500 by March 2021

    Okinawa plans to add 150 new dealerships to their network this year to take current 350+ dealership count upto a total of 500
    Electric scooter brand, Okinawa has ambitious plans for the current financial year. Issuing a press statement, the company has confirmed an added 150 dealers will be appointed during the period FY 20-21 to take its current dealership network from 350+ dealers to 500+. The company will also target sub dealers along with primary dealerships with special emphasis on sales of its electric two wheelers in the states of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam and other eastern states.
    Increased Dealership Margin

    To help its current dealerships at this time when the coronavirus pandemic has had an adverse effect on sales, the company has also announced an increase in dealership margins. Dealer percentages have been increased from 8-11 percent. Despite the fact that only 30 percent of the company dealerships were operational, deliveries stood at 1000+ over a period of 30 days following the end of the lockdown as announced by the Government of India.
    Markets are expected to pick up in the months ahead and Okinawa hopes to see increased demand for electric vehicles as more persons will opt for personal travel over public transport in view of the increased risk involved. Expanding to more states in India will also ensure easy availability of products and services. Okinawa has gone the digital way for the application process for new dealerships.
    Okinawa Praise Pro

    Okinawa Praise Pro
    One of the best selling electric scooter from Okinawa, is the Praise Pro. It offers a range of 100-110 kms on a single charge, addressing the concerns of buyers of electric two wheelers. The Praise Pro is powered by a 1000 watt BLDC waterproof engine that offers 2500 watt peak power, a range of 100-110 kms and a top speed of 70 kmph.
    It is fitted with a 2 kWh detachable lithium ion battery which can be charged in 3 hours via a 5 amp plug, as is used to charge mobile phones. It gets hydraulic suspension at the front and double shock at the rear with double tube technology. Load capacity is at 150 kgs while storage space sees 7 liter under seat capacity.
    Okinawa Praise Pro is presented in three colours of Glossy Red Black, Glossy Sparkle Black and Glossy Blue Black, sits on aluminum alloy wheels and receives LED projector head lamp with DRLs and LED tail lamp. It has a digital speedometer, central locking system, keyless entry, anti theft alarm and Find My Scooter Function.

    Okinawa Praise Pro specs
    FAME II approval
    Okinawa Praise Pro is priced at Rs.79,277. It comes in with 3 year warranty on battery and motor and roadside assistance. Okinawa is the first company to receive FAME II approval in electric two wheeler segment in India. More

  • Kinetic Luna electric moped launch plans – Expected price less than Rs 50k

    Modified Kinetic Luna by Slimline Customs

    The Luna electric is expected to derive its design inspiration from the original 2-stroke model
    It seems like Kinetic Motors is planning to revive its iconic Luna nameplate to take a shot at the electric vehicle industry. The super affordable and skinny Kinetic Luna moped which looked more like a motorized bicycle (it did have pedals like one) was responsible for putting several Indians on wheels.

    The 50 cc two-stroke moped was very easy to ride and returned good fuel economy. After decades of service, the Luna slowly faded into oblivion and Kinetic Group eventually took a sabbatical from two wheeler making by selling its infrastructure to Mahindra Two Wheelers. Kinetic Group now operates an EV subsidiary called as Kinetic Green which specializes in e-rickshaws, golf carts, etc.
    Prospects and possible specifications
    With the electric two wheeler scene in India bustling with activity in the recent months, Kinetic is reportedly gearing up to return to its two wheeler making days. The Kinetic Luna electric moped would be an interesting low-cost proposition with a classic appeal, targeting the numerous license-free low-speed electric scooters in the market.
    Financial Express reports that the Kinetic Luna electric is likely to employ a 1 kW electric motor which could be paired to a lithium-ion battery pack as most OEMs are leaving lead-acid battery technology behind. The lightweight electric urban runabout is estimated to have a range of around 80 km and a top-speed of 25 kmph. The reported specifications indicate that one would not require license to ride the new Luna electric.
    Design?

    Modified Kinetic Luna by Slimline Customs. Image for reference.
    As far as design is concerned, the modern day Luna is expected to adopt the typical bare bones moped styling of its ancestor but keeping with the trend, there could be LED lights, digital instrument console, USB port, etc. The electric motor is most likely to be a hub-mounted unit so we don’t expect the moped to feature pedals.
    The Kinetic Luna electric is expected to be priced under INR 50,000 (on-road). As of now, the only direct competitor it would have is the Gemopai Miso moped but by the time it is ready, there would be more rivals in the market. In the IC-engined world, TVS continues to sell its highly successful XL100 moped whose electric version could also be in the works.

    Kinetic Green will have to set up dealerships across the country in an aggressive manner to maximize the potential of its two wheeler vertical.
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    First PlugNgo electric car charging station launched in Delhi – Nexon EV, Kona, MG ZS

    Hyundai Kona getting charged at the PlugNgo electric car charging station in Delhi

    This if the first of 9 such public EV charging stations to be set up by BYPL in Delhi this year
    With an aim to get reduce pollution levels in Delhi, the govt plans to push sales of EVs. In order to do that, they first need to setup infrastructure to support EVs. As a step in this direction, new public electric vehicle charging stations are being set up in Delhi. This first such EV charging station was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. Called PlugNgo, it has been formed under a partnership between BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) and EV Motors India Private Limited.
    Location and App Based Digital Experience

    The new EV charging station is located at IP Extension, Patpargani, East Delhi and over the coming year 9 such charging stations is planned by the discom. The EV charging station is branded ‘PlugNgo’ and receives state-of-the-art central management system. The EV charger at the outlet is integrated to the PlugNgo mobile App available on both Android and iOS platforms, allowing consumers to locate and operate chargers.
    With QR code based online payment facilities, users will be able to scan the QR code with their smartphone and pay for the charging session via the mobile app. The App also allows users to locate chargers, status of chargers in terms of availability and track charging and payment history. Customers can also opt for advance booking options which is also offered on the PlugNgo App on Google PlayStore.
    Capacity and Unit Price

    Deputy Chief Minister, Manish Sisodia launching ‘PlugNgo’ – the smart public EV charging station, at Patparganj, East Delhi
    The station can charge upto 4 vehicles at a time in 45 or 90 minutes depending on vehicle type. Initial cost is at Rs 10.50 per unit. This is higher than what you pay for electricity at your home. PlugNgo claims that their rate is currently the lowest among all public EV charging stations.
    Two Types of Chargers – 50 kW and 30 kW
    The public electric vehicle charging station is equipped with two types of chargers. The DC 50 kW charger with three guns (CCS2 + CHAdeMO + Type 2 AC) can be used for charging the Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon Electric. The DC 30 kW with Guns (Both GB/T) can charge the Mahindra e-Verito and Tata Tigor. Two vehicles can be charged at the same time from each charger. The charging stations under PlugNgo will be able to charge 15-18 cars per day.
    Tentative Cost and Saving
    Depending on the make, an electric vehicle can offer running cost between Rs.1.25-1.50 per km. This when compared to a petrol/diesel/CNG vehicle is extremely competitive thus saving the user a substantial amount per km. Along with cost saving, an electric vehicle can also result in saving of over 30 tonnes of CO2 in a lifespan of 10 years. More

  • Gemopai electric scooters get 3 year service warranty – Rs 2k discount

    Gemopai electric scooters are available through over 60 dealerships across India
    Gemopai Miso EV is now available at a discount of INR 2,000 for all bookings till July 25, 2020. The offer aims to lure prospective customers in favor of EV adoption in India through affordable EVs as personal modes of commute. Each of these operates a service centre.
    What is Gemopai Secure?

    Gemopai Electric has introduced 3-year service warranty for all its scooters. The manufacturer sells a product range that comprises of Miso, Astrid Lite and Ryder. Named ‘Gemopai Secure’, the service warranty scheme is applicable for 3 years, for 12 free services. In essence the scheme is curated to lower ownership cost.
    Current circumstances are such that for a while now public transport has become either unavailable, or largely limited. This presents good opportunity for new EV players in the market to boost their presence.
    Gemopai Miso electric scooter specifications

    Gemopai electric scooter
    Gemopai Miso is a mini electric scooter listed at a price of INR 44,000 (ex-showroom), pre-bookings for which began last month. Features include a Hexa headlight, and an LED battery indicator. The scooter runs on a 1 KW detachable Li-ion 48V, 17.5Ah battery. Power comes from a 250 watt motor, and the manufacturer says the Miso can go 75 kms on a single charge. It takes about 2 hours for a charge upto 90 percent. Miso weighs 45 kg with load capacity of 120 kg. Miso runs on 16-inch tubeless tyres, and features a LED display speedometer.
    You get what you see with no add ons, or hidden bits, a bit like the mopeds from a long time ago with single focus on being a daily electric commuter vehicle. No doubt finance schemes are available, and insurance isn’t a requirement.
    Gemopai Miso is available in four colour options – Fiery Red, Deep Sky Blue, Luscious Green and Sunset Orange. The small mobility medium sees riders not needing a license or RTO permit, and one can attain a top speed of 25 kmph. Miso micro-mobility is a single seat low power, limited speed scooter designed to get the job done.

    Amit Raj Singh, Co-Founder, Gemopai Electric, said, “The current ongoing pandemic amidst all the challenges it has created, is also fostering a growing awareness and sense of responsibility among consumers towards the environment. We have seen a surge in queries and interest in Electric Scooters. We want to ensure owning a Gemopai Scooter is hassle free and a cherished experience. Gemopai Secure offer is our way of supporting customers in their purchase decision for an Electric Mobility option.” More

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    Revolt electric motorcycle deliveries start in Chennai and Ahmedabad

    Revolt RV400 has a top speed of 85 kmph and has a range of 150 km on a full charge
    With lockdown underway, and reinforcement of lockdown in regions where it has been lifted partially, business operations are being forced to be revised. When Revolt Intellicorp began business, they were going from city to city in a planned manner. Those plans too have had to be reassessed so as to function under current directives.

    Under current circumstances, Revolt has delivered its first batch of electric bikes to buyers in Ahmadabad and Chennai. In Ahmedabad, the EV brand operates out of Revolt Hub Naroda and Revolt Hub Himalaya Mall. The same is true for Chennai where the company operates out of Revolt Hub Velachery and Revolt Hub Anna Nagar.
    Revolt RV400 and RV300 delivery plans
    As part of expansion, Revolt Intellicorp was set to enter four new markets by March 2020. Initially the bikes were made available in Pune and Delhi in August 2019. While the company was all set to began dispatches of RV400 and RV300 to other cities, the lockdown in March put plans on hold. As per an update back then, the company was set to start ops in Ahmadabad on February 29, Hyderabad on March 2, Chennai on March 5, and Mumbai by end of March.

    Revolt electric motorcycle delivery start in Ahmedabad, Chennai
    At the time, the company had also spoken about reduction in RV400 waiting period from 5 months to just 90 days for orders taken in March. Of course, that estimate now stands revised with production having been hampered, and previous dispatches still being sorted.
    With curiosity around electric vehicles, in recent years it’s electric scooters that have made some headway when it comes to acceptance as compared to electric cars. While the electric scooter space has multiple competitors, and is shaping up as a scooter subset industry, electric motorcycles are somewhat of a concept with hardly any manufacturers. That is Revolt Motor’s USP.
    Revolt Electric – Price, Specs

    Revolt electric motorcycle delivery start in Ahmedabad, Chennai

    Revolt RV400 is offered with unlimited battery warranty (8 years or 150,000 kms), free maintenance benefits (3years or 30,000kms), product warranty (5 years or 75,000 kms) and insurance (1-year company owned, 5 years third-party). The bike runs on a 3.24 KWh 72V Lithium-ion battery, and has a range of 150 km on full charge. Top speed is pegged at 85 kmph. Revolt RV400 has a ground clearance of 215 mm. It’s portable battery is fully charged (0-100 percent) in 4.5 hours and uses 3 units of electricity through a 15 Ampere socket.
    With financing being a renewed concern in current times, Revolt had already introduced a subscription model that required no down payment. RV300 is available for Rs 2,999 per month and RV400 is on sale at 3,999 per month. More

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    BYD Han electric sedan launched in China – 605km range

    BYD’s Han electric sedan rivals the Tesla Model 3 in global markets
    Chinese automaker BYD Co Ltd has launched the Han all-electric sedan in its home market. Proclaimed to be “China’s fastest EV in production”, the BYD Han comes in with both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and electric powertrains.

    It took the EV about 10 years to transform from its concept to a mass-production luxury car targeted at Tesla Model 3 buyers. At the moment, sales are limited to the Chinese market but BYD Co Ltd plans to gradually enter other potential markets in Asia as well as Europe.
    The Chinese automotive industry has made almost a complete recovery from COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, the country has witnessed the launch of several EVs across different price categories, over the last few months. Below is the BYD Han’s full launch event by YouTube channel Chinese Car Intelligence:

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    Variants & Prices
    The BYD Han electric sedan is offered in an ‘Extended Range’ variant priced at 229,800 RMB (~ Rs.24.70 lakh). There is also an ‘Extended Range Premium’ variant available at 255,800 RMB (~ Rs 27.54 lakh) while the 4WD ‘ High Performance’ variant carries a price tag of 279,500 RMB (~ Rs 30 lakh). The PHEV Han ‘DM’ variant is sold at 219,800 RMB (~ Rs 23.65 lakh). The RMB-INR conversions are dependent on varying exchange rates.
    Performance & Range
    BYD’s Han EV is the first product in its class to get an Ultra Safe Blade Battery pack; a seven-dimensional quad-layered system. It is apparently the safest in the world and can remain stable even at high temperatures. In its highest trim, the BYD Han EV comes with 11 airbags, six cameras, multiple radar units, air purification systems and more. There are multiple driving modes that adjust the all-electric sedan’s performance and range accordingly.
    BYD claims that the Han EV features the world’s first MOSFET motor control module. It can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds while braking from 100kmph to a standstill is accomplished in an impressive 32.8 meters. The Han EV ‘Extended Range’ variant promises 605km on a full charge (NEDC test cycle). The Han DM hybrid (fastest hybrid sedan in China) can run 81km in pure electric mode and 800km combined.
    DiPilot Intelligent Driving System

    The BYD Han EV boasts of a market-leading DiPilot Intelligent Driving System or driver assistance suite. Notable functionalities include adaptive stop/go cruise control system, forward collision alert, pedestrian identification and protection system; lane departure warning, etc. Furthermore, it packs NFC smartphone key function that permits locking and unlocking even if the phone runs out of power or signal. The car is 5G-enabled. More

  • Yezdi electric motorcycle planned for launch – Royal Enfield electric rival

    Yezdi electric motorcycle is expected to be developed completely in-house by Classic Legends
    Classic Legends, as the name suggests, relies heavily on the heritage and nostalgic effect of its Jawa brand to drive forward its business. Even with such approach, one has to embrace the changes like the rest of the industry.

    According to a report, Classic Legends has started working on an electric motorcycle project as a part of its future strategy. It is too early to speculate about the finer details but this motorcycle is reportedly set to revive yet another nostalgic motorcycle brand under Classic Legend’s disposal – Yezdi.
    Yezdi was a part of Mysore-based Ideal Jawa Ltd., which started selling Jawa Motorcycles in the country under license from 1960. The firm rebranded itself as Yezdi and 1973 and came up with products that were based on Jawa platforms. Popular Yezdi nameplates include Roadking, Monarch, CL-II, etc.
    Why ELECTRIC?

    Royal Enfield electric motorcycle on display at a company dealership.
    The Yezdi electric motorcycle plan by Classic Legends is consistent with the path taken by other retro classic motorcycle brands such as Harley Davidson which has already introduced the LiveWire, and Royal Enfield which is also reported to be working on a pure electric retro-classic bike.
    The report adds that the Yezdi electric motorcycle is an in-house project by Classic Legends even though there could be future technology transfer from its parent company Mahindra. Mahindra’s experience and expertise with Electric Vehicles would come in handy in developing a zero emission motorcycle for India.
    It is also being reported that Classic Legends intend to have heavy localization of its electric motorcycle to arrive at competitive pricing. That said, critical components like battery cells could be imported. It also remains to be seen if the development of Battery Management System (BMS) will be outsourced or not. Needless to say, the motorcycle will adopt classic styling consistent with Yezdi’s design philosophy and is most likely to use one of the old nameplates.
    Made in India tech via Mahindra

    In order to develop a pure electric motorcycle completely in-house, Classic Legends will have to significantly strengthen its R&D department. It is to be noted that Mahindra Two Wheeler’s R&D team played a major role in developing the IC-engined Jawa range. Mahindra Electric could play a major role in the development of electric motor for the upcoming Yezdi electric motorcycle.
    So far, the company has been finding it challenging to stick to the timeline for launches and deliveries. The eagerly awaited Jawa Perak motorcycle was launched late last year but deliveries are yet to start. The Jawa and Jawa 42 models also faced significant delay in deliveries.
    The company recently introduced the BS6 versions of Jawa and Jawa 42 with modified exhaust downtubes and an additional catalytic converter. The company’s prime focus currently would be to iron out the teething issues of its existing products and fulfill the already announced product launch commitments. So, we don’t expect the Yezdi electric motorcycle in question to be ready anytime soon.
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    Nissan Ariya electric crossover makes global debut – Drive Range, Specs

    Nissan Ariya electric will be pitched as a Tesla rival – Will offer up to 610 kms of range based on WLTC Japan cycle
    The all new Nissan Ariya has been revealed at a digital event in Yokohama, Japan. It will go on sale in Japan from mid 2021, while sales in US and Canada will commence later next year. Prices in Japan are at about 5 million yen while in the US, it will go for $40,000 (approx Rs 30 lakhs).

    Nissan Ariya is an all electric crossover. It has been designed for complete autonomous driving with seamless connectivity, lounge like interiors and offering the latest in technology to both drivers and passengers. This future ready electric car is ideally suited both for daily commute and weekend getaways.
    Specs, Range, Power

    Powered by an all electric drivetrain, the Ariya promises best in class power delivery, charging capabilities and extended range. It will be seen with two configurations of two wheel drive and e-FORCE all wheel drive, perfectly balanced for both delivery and comfort.
    The 2 WD versions get 60 kWh and 90 kWh battery options offering output of 160 kW (218 hp) and 178 kW (242 hp) respectively and torque of 300 Nm each. It is capable of acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in 7.5 and 7.6 seconds respectively; with a common top speed of 160 kmph. Driving range according to the WLTC Japan cycle stands at 450 km and 610 km respectively.

    4 WD version of the Nissan Ariya gets the same 65 kWh for base variant, but gets larger 90 kWh battery pack on the top of the line variant. Power output is increased to 250 kW (340 hp) and 290 kW (395 hp) respectively. Torque output stands at 560Nm and 600 Nm respectively. Acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph is achieved in 5.4 seconds and 5.1 seconds while top speed is at 200 kmph. Range is 430 kms and 580 kms.
    Advanced design and technology

    Nissan Ariya measures 4,595mm in length, 1,850mm in width and 1,655mm in height. Its overall weight depends on model and on board equipment, ranging between 1,900-2,200 kgs with a 2,775mm long wheelbase.

    Being touted as the most technologically advanced Nissan model to date, the Ariya gets ProPILOT 2.0 advanced driver assistance system, remote park and ePedal features along with Nissan Safety Shield System. This consists of intelligent around view monitor, intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking along with Rear Automatic Emergency Braking technology. Its on board equipment also includes Amazon Alexa, over the air firmware updates and a human machine interface allowing user to adjust car setting via natural speech.
    Maintenance and warranty package
    Nissan is offering the new Ariya with a basic warranty pack as is also offered on the Leaf. This includes a 3 year/60,000 km policy and battery protection for upto 8 years/160,000 kms. Once on sale in US markets, the Nissan Ariya will compete against the Tesla Model Y, Volkswagen ID.4, Volvo XC40 Recharge and Ford Mustang Mach-E. More